35 Pakistani Taliban killed in US air strikes in Afghanistan

A group of 100 Pakistani Taliban militants fired missiles and rockets at a convoy of foreign troops.

At least 35 Pakistani Taliban fighters have been killed in United States air strikes in Afghanistan after they attacked a convoy of foreign troops, reports from the Waziristan tribal region of Pakistan said on Tuesday.

The reports said that a group of 100 Pakistani Taliban militants fired missiles and rockets at a convoy of foreign forces in Paktiya on Friday.

Over a dozen rebels were injured. They were brought to hospitals in North Waziristan Agency, the reports said.

Those killed included militants from Pakistani Taliban groups led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur and Mullah Nazir.

Punjabi Taliban militants too were among the dead and injured, residents of Waziristan said.

The Taliban factions led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur and Mullah Nazir have struck peace deals with the Pakistan government but they are accused by the US of sending fighters across the border into Afghanistan.

US drones routinely target militants of both groups in Waziristan.

Pakistani militants are now trying to transfer the bodies to Waziristan, sources said.

But local residents said most of those killed were local tribesmen and people were visiting their relatives to offer condolences.